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Month In Review – Saskatchewan

LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Workplace Violence

Feb 5: The Government of Saskatchewan is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal government’s recently enacted ban on firearms.

Action Point: Find out how to implement an effective workplace violence and harassment compliance game plan at your site

 

Drugs & Alcohol

Jan 11: Saskatchewan launched a new Provincial Drug Alert System. At-risk individuals can sign up to receive drug alerts from the Ministry of Health via text, email or the downloadable Alertable app.

Action Point: Use the OHSI Substance Abuse Compliance Game Plan to curb drugs and alcohol at your workplace

 

Drugs & Alcohol

Feb 1: Effective today, the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products in Saskatchewan has increased from 18 to 19 years of age. The new age restriction aligns with the minimum age rules governing alcohol and cannabis.

Action Point: Take 5 steps to prevent workplace smoking and avoid fines under smoke-free laws

Privacy

Jan 24: A new post on the Saskatchewan Privacy Commission’s website provides guidance on how to prevent cybersecurity threats and react after cyberattacks, data breaches and other events occur.

Action Point: Find out how privacy laws affect workplace safety

Workers Comp

Feb 29: That’s the final day for Saskatchewan employers to file their Employer’s Payroll Statement (EPS) listing their actual payroll expenses in 2023 and estimated payroll expenses for 2024. Late filing may result in late charges, interest and penalties.

CASES

Machine Guarding: Poultry Plant Fined $46,000 for Machine Injury

A poultry plant worker suffered serious injury after inadvertently getting a foot entangled within a horizontal auger system. The employer pled guilty to an OHS offence and was fined $46,000 [Pedigree Poultry Ltd., Govt Press Release, January 16, 2024].

Action Point: Use the OHSI machine guarding policy template to prevent similar incidents at your workplace

Fall Protection: Failure to Securely Cover Floor Opening Costs Rental Company $24,000

A company was hit with a $24,000 fine for one OHS violation—failure to ensure that a floor or work surface opening through which a worker may fall is covered with a securely installed covering capable of supporting a load of 360 kg per square metre and marked with a clear warning sign indicating the danger. In return for a guilty plea, the Crown dropped 3 other charges. The fine stemmed from an incident in which a worker suffered serious injury as a result of falling through an opening on a work platform [J & H Rentals Ltd., Govt Press Release, February 8, 2024].

Action Point: Find out how to implement a Compliance Game Plan to prevent falls through openings at your workplace